I spent hours listening last night, and was quite pleased. The ability to drive lower frequencies, as compared to my 300B SET is dramatic; and there was no fatigue over that time.
I'm driving it with a McIntosh C50, and can't help but think there would be a pleasant benefit of a tube line stage. I pre-ordered the NuTube B1 kit; but I don't want to wait 🙂
I may take a poll here in a new thread. For a total cost of $1k USD or less, which of the following 3:
* Tube pre (probably Glassware)
* F4 kit (300B driving)
* Speakers
Thanks again for everyone's help!!!
I'm driving it with a McIntosh C50, and can't help but think there would be a pleasant benefit of a tube line stage. I pre-ordered the NuTube B1 kit; but I don't want to wait 🙂
I may take a poll here in a new thread. For a total cost of $1k USD or less, which of the following 3:
* Tube pre (probably Glassware)
* F4 kit (300B driving)
* Speakers
Thanks again for everyone's help!!!
I find the "Wayne's 2018 BA linestage (board available in store) to be a great match for Aleph J. I also use the BA3 front end quite successfully, and latest fav is Iron Pre, which will be available in the store.
F4 may be interesting, since you have 300B amp, and for other reasons. M2 is a good one too, and I will always say BA3 amp. These have been my favorite 3, with F7 clone, J2 clone and Sissysit to be completed soon this could change!
I have moved from tube stuff, once being an All tube all the time person. I have been converted. A balanced pre is next on my list, either BA3 FE or more likely, Iron Pre balanced, once it becomes available. A balanced pre may be useful for you as well, if you end up with 2 F4 amps, that could get interested.
So taken by BA3 amp, I am going to build balanced versions in mono blocks, where I have an idea or two I want to try!
Russellc
F4 may be interesting, since you have 300B amp, and for other reasons. M2 is a good one too, and I will always say BA3 amp. These have been my favorite 3, with F7 clone, J2 clone and Sissysit to be completed soon this could change!
I have moved from tube stuff, once being an All tube all the time person. I have been converted. A balanced pre is next on my list, either BA3 FE or more likely, Iron Pre balanced, once it becomes available. A balanced pre may be useful for you as well, if you end up with 2 F4 amps, that could get interested.
So taken by BA3 amp, I am going to build balanced versions in mono blocks, where I have an idea or two I want to try!
Russellc
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Thanks Russellc. Forgive the novice question... How does a balanced pre make it possible to turn a stereo amp into a mono block?
Do you drive each channel with the opposite signal wire and wire the speaker outs in series?
Regardless of how it's achieved, does doing so increase the damping factor of the amp?
Do you drive each channel with the opposite signal wire and wire the speaker outs in series?
Regardless of how it's achieved, does doing so increase the damping factor of the amp?
Read this - http://www.firstwatt.com/pdf/prod_f4_man.pdf
The long story short is that a balanced source (preamp) can bridge the two channels of the stereo amp into one bridges mono amplifier. Because of the V+/V- aspect of the balanced XLR signal. The preamp still needs to provide all the voltage gain to the F4, because it’s a buffer, but the 8ohm power in this configuration would be 100wpc, more into 4 ohm.
Damping factor will go down a little bit, but still will be very good. Damping factor also where near as important as some people think it is...
The long story short is that a balanced source (preamp) can bridge the two channels of the stereo amp into one bridges mono amplifier. Because of the V+/V- aspect of the balanced XLR signal. The preamp still needs to provide all the voltage gain to the F4, because it’s a buffer, but the 8ohm power in this configuration would be 100wpc, more into 4 ohm.
Damping factor will go down a little bit, but still will be very good. Damping factor also where near as important as some people think it is...
With BBA3, the amps will be built balanced. 6l6 has cleared it up with regard to F4.
Have fun,
Russellc